Villarreal CF vs Deportivo La Coruña

Villarreal's trip to Riazor doubles as a homecoming party, with Deportivo hosting a regular top-flight side for the first time since their relegation eight years ago. Both teams remain unbeaten through the opening weeks of the new season, giving this one real early weight: a good result lets Deportivo announce themselves back among the elite, while Villarreal look to keep pace near the top half. Villarreal opened with a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid, leaning on Alberto Moleiro and Georges Mikautadze up front, though losing Thomas Partey and Dani Parejo over the summer has left the midfield short on experience. Deportivo, freshly rebranded and guided by Antonio Hidalgo, have drawn both matches since promotion, including a 1-1 at Malaga where new arrival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored on his return to the top flight. The sides have met 24 times in La Liga, split evenly at nine wins each with six draws. Our prediction: 2-1